6.08.10

We are truly blessed.

First Day of (home)School

It has been a crazy and fun year! First off, I'm trying to start a charter school with some friends. It is going to be amazing! It has been a tough summer (actually the last 6 months have been INSANE!), hence the no blogging, and lack of communication to anyone in the outside world.

But now, I feel like I can stop and take a minute to update.

Last year I kept getting a strong impression that I needed to home school Berkli for first grade. Seriously freaked me out and I didn't think it was possible. But the feeling kept coming, stronger and stronger. Over conference weekend in April, I just felt an overwhelming feeling that it was right and what she needed this year. So, I took the plunge. It has been amazing so far. I was lucky enough that her kindergarten teacher got her ahead so that I haven't had to teach a lot of the basics, she's doing awesome! It has been a great experience for me as a mom. She is an amazing girl and I have really enjoyed spending this time with her this year.

Almost two!

It has been so fun to have another girl! Paisli has the best hair too so it is really fun to get her dolled up!




In August I was able to do her first french braids while she just sat there and let me, I love it!



Just the cutest (almost) two year old I know!

It's about time

Just for the record, I am sitting down to update my blog. I'm warning you because life with 3 kids has taught me there is a lot I intend to do that I do not get to do. I'm actually just writing this because I'm waiting for my camera to unload the 920 pictures that are stored on there...

I did get some done, from the end of April to the middle of June. Happy Reading!

Thank You!

I just have to say thank you to all my great friends! I cannot tell you how good it feels to have so many friends there for me! I am doing much better, I think letting it all out and not having to call everyone I know made it so much easier. Plus, all my readers are just amazing and I love that you took the time to write.

I think I was just feeling really lonely, but reading all your comments helped me. This was my third miscarriage (I've had one after each of my kids now), and the hardest part about it is that no one ever wants to talk about it, they don't know what to do so they just ignore it and don't acknowledge it. So, it felt so good to be able to talk about it without actually having to talk about it.

Thanks for listening! I'm really doing much better thanks to all of you!

How do you?

How do you tell the everyone that no matter what they say, you still aren't a fan of your new bangs?

Apparently, on your blog.

How do you tell your friends that you just had a miscarriage while at your family reunion?

Apparently, on your blog.

How do you tell people that asking if "this was planned" actually sounds like "are you crazy"?

Apparently, on your blog.

How do you tell people that saying "Heavenly Father knows what is best" is translated into "Maybe you don't realize this, but apparently you can't handle another one right now"?

Apparently, on your blog.

How do you tell people that you got rid of you dog because of the pregnancy?

Apparently on your blog.

How do you tell the people that you gave your dog to because you knew you would be too sick to train him, that now you actually have the time to train him and you'd like him back because he's there for you when you are sad and the pain of losing both really hurts and brings you to tears?

I don't know that answer, but it hurts just the same.

Sometimes you just have to write it out because saying it hurts too much. I'm so grateful for prayer, because it helps to know that no matter how much this hurts, I'm never alone. I'm grateful for times like these that bring me to my knees and show me how strong I am. I am grateful for three healthy children, I know so many women have not had the opportunity to be moms, I have no idea the depths of your pain, and I am SO sorry.

Thanks for listening, I just couldn't bear to say it all out loud.

Girlie Girl

Paisli wakes up from her nap and wants to go play outside. Berkli informs me she needs pants, so I call her back in.

It's windy and a little chilly so I grab a pair of pink fleece pants, but Paisli grabs the skirt she was wearing earlier. She has shown an obsession with skirts lately...

Then I go to get her shoes on and grab her pink crocs, but she insists on her shoes that have a picture of the Princesses on them.

She now fights over the pink cup and plate at dinner and is insistent upon anything anyone else has. She's a big kid now!

Berkli # 2 here we come!

Some dude's ranch

Long story short- John's Aunt got a private invitation to go to this huge rodeo, the whole huge family was invited, it was a 45 minute drive for us. We were the first ones there and when John's parents arrived and got out of our car, they told us that his Aunt (the only one who knew anyone)wasn't coming. Our kids already were excited and John's 10 year old cousin who did know the people (I think) came with us. So it was a little aukward but there were a lot of people there and I knew at least 15 people so we did it. I don't think we'll be invited back again, but it was really a lot of fun and well done.






Thanks whoever you are, it was fun! Was it as weird for you as it was for me?

Cookies for sale

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One day we made cookies, the super yummy Ranger Cookies. Out our of sheer boredom I'm sure, Berkli took a plate of cookies outside.

My two kids sat in front of our driveway holding a plate of cookies yelling "Cookies for Sale" over and over loudly for about 20 minutes. I couldn't decide when to intervene. So I waited a little longer. Now on my street, we are the ONLY family with kids, our street dead ends past our house and so there is not very much traffic. This day in particular, none of my neighbors were even home.

I called Berkli in to ask how it was going. I asked if I could help. I had her wash her hands and we grabbed paper plated and napkins. We talked about how people need to know that she isn't touching the cooking and so I taught her how to serve them with a napkin. Then I helped her price them and make a sign. I figured at $.25 & $3 for 12, we would at least sell a few.



Berkli made like $5 that day thanks to my kind neighbors. For the next few weeks she tried to sell everything from rocks to ranch cups with carrots and broccoli heads, to chocolate chips to pictures she had drawn. That table was hauled outside more times than I ever care to remember, and although she did have some success, it was never as magical as it was that day.

Goodbye Kindergarten!

Field day is the best day of the year!

Here is our final picture of Mrs. Liles. She is the most amazing Kindergarten teacher ever. My friend says she has a "Mary Poppins" quality and that pretty much nails it, unless you think Mary Poppins is creepy, then I would just say she is "magical"


I had so much fun volunteering in Berkli's class this last year, I will miss it.